Removing Cayman Front Bumper

[johnhackett364]

I want to protect the new condensers on my Cayman from stone damage so am going to fit mesh grills from the inside as per the very helpful 911 posts on the forum. The bumper mounting on the Cayman looks similar to the 911 but I'd welcome any extra info before I start. Looking at the various retainers I can see 7 (2 of which are recessed near the rear bumper edges) at the bottom of the bumper, and 3 under at the top under the plastic trim just in front of the boot lock. I assume there will be some behind the repeat indicators, but I'm not sure what retainers are accessed from inside the wheel arch. Any knowledge or thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

John

 

[Buddy]

If you have the Porsche warranty guess what! They will void it if they find you have mesh grills!! But it is possible to fit some on the outside which are removable.[] If you check the FAQ's there is a link to the Original Porsche Parts Catalogues on the Porsche website.

 

[Motorhead]

Here's an article describing how to remove the PU John: http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/service-items/p102-factory-cayman-s-bumper-removal.html Jeff

 

[johnhackett364]

Jeff, thanks for the link, I'm well impressed by the level of detail on the posts and am happy to get started now. Kevan, I found your post amusing to say the least. Happily (I think?) I'm not affected by any warranty concerns so will just get on with the job. I don't think UK temperatures are likely to cause any overheating problems! It's fairly typical though - you keep the warranty but may well get holed condensers as a result..... Why did they not design it with grills and make them just a bit bigger - everyone's happy then. John

 

[Buddy]

That has been discussed before! I once read an article written by one of the foremost Aerodynamics specialists of the time which ended up saying that the cooling effect was effected less by the reduction of the intake area than anything else provided the cross sectional area of the radiator remained unrestricted and was at some distance from the intake, but if there is a pressure drop behind the grill it is a fact that there will be a temperature drop. So it doesn't hold true that the grills restrict cooling effect and anyway ram air effect varies with speed and that is what we have the radiator fans to cope with when we are running slowly or are stopped. Of course the cynical amongst us would say that the real effect of using mesh grills is that it restricts the parts sales and repairs income of the Porsche dealerships ( Shock Horror[:-] ) since leaves will tend to get broken up or deflected away from the condensers and radiators, while stones will be deflected from causing damage to the same items.[8|]

 

[kasspa]

Ironically, it was an OPC that fitted my Zunsport Grilles on my C4S...... & I'm sure warranty hadn't expired....... & they were definately trying to get me to renew!! with regard to air flow..... absolutely no difference in temperature even when doing 'double' UK max speeds on autobahns.... hth Paul

 

[Buddy]

Both interested and glad that warranty wasn't effected for you by the OPC, it was being said when the Zunsport grills first came on the market but then it may well have been better assessed since. I'll check with mine as I really do think they're a good thing to have all year round and rather fancy doing a permanent install behind the standard grill having seen pictures of them on Planet 9 and elsewhere.

 

[kasspa]

I must add that I did not take up a further warranty so have no idea what the outcome would have been but then the grilles have protected the rads/condensers so effectively..... so far..... hope I haven't jinxed myself there!

 

[ralphmusic]

I have had Design 911 grills fitted to my car by OPC and no warranty issue.

 

[kasspa]

Excellent! Common sense finally prevails...... I'm sure it must be dependant on which OPC then.....

 

[Motorhead]

For the few pence per car it would cost Porsche to get their suppliers to engineer protective meshes across all model ranges, it beggars belief that this hasn't been done long ago. As Kevan says, one can't help feel that this is because their ommision provides a very lucrative income stream for Porsche dealerships. (Cynical) Jeff

 

[Buddy]

It is confusing about the warranty and modifications issue, for instance, Porsche now do their own short shift which is a full assembly in the cradle which just bolts straight in place, they listed one for the 986/996 which was made outside of the company and also sold under the maker's name elsewhere which had to installed by exchanging the moving parts inside the cradle. If they would say it's ok to do such and such but the line is drawn at a point such as structural modification or if it renders the driveline modified etc then it would be better, the same applies to the grills, they effect nothing regarding weakening or preventing anything from doing it's job as prescribed they are just a protection and we've all used forms of protection for appropriate activities. Maybe some things just need a Porsche approval. Then there have been stories of insurance companies who have been difficult over people using wheels and tyres not approved by Porsche or modified cars in general just where is the line drawn with them? One thing if boosting power output by 50% quite another if improving the suspension or brakes! But both are modifications and we know that good sense goes out the window when dealing with insurance claims. Warranties are backed by insurance companies but one of the advantages of the Porsche warranty is that you have the claim backed by the experts ( Porsche ) and so it's best to be sure they approve of whatever changes you may propose, I'm always glad when good sense prevails as in the two cases above and os I presume that the insurers should have no problem with it.

 

[gmcraib]

I have porschemesh grills fitted to front (sides not centre) and back bumpers. Will keep the leaves out but more importantly also the stones! I think it also looks a bit better but most of all glad I don't have to keep clearing the leaves out and happy that the radiators are now protected. porschemesh are in US, you should find them on a google search. They fit without taking the bumper off and are held in place with tie-wraps. If I remember right you have to screw them into the rear bumper. I think they were about $150 dollars incl shipping, which is not cheap but they are a high quality with a perfect cut and fitment. Come pre-painted too.

 

[Buddy]

Graeme, you say Porschemesh are they an option I've not heard of?

 

[gmcraib]

here are the pictures

 

[gmcraib]

more

 

[gmcraib]

back

 

[Buddy]

Looks very good and is just what John is planning on doing himself. Would you mind doing an article for the Tech Articles Section? Presuming that you took photos, did you remove the front bumper or are your grills removable?

 

[gmcraib]

I've edited the first porst Kevan you were too quick!! was also gonna say $150 vs bust radiators is a no brainer.

 

[Buddy]

Yes Graeme, $150 isn't a lot compared to the condensers or rads or even the loss of coolant for that matter. I did see on Planet 9 where they were making some up that could be installed in that way.